Reunification is the process of returning a child who has been removed by Child Protective Services (CPS) back to their biological parents, once it is determined to be safe and in the child’s best interest. It is the primary goal in almost all CPS cases, because children generally do best when raised by their own families, provided their environment is healthy and stable.
Reunification doesn’t happen overnight. Once a child is removed, CPS works with the parents to assess the root causes of the situation and develop a plan for family recovery. This plan often includes referrals to supportive services to address the family’s specific needs. These may involve things like attending therapy, participating in domestic violence intervention programs, maintaining regular contact with their child, or engaging in case management to help with employment and housing stability. The goal is not to punish parents, but to empower them with the tools and resources needed to create a safe, nurturing home environment.
As parents make progress, the court reviews their case regularly. Supervised visitation often increases as trust and stability grow. If the court determines that the parents have successfully completed their service plan and the home environment is now safe, reunification can take place.